System with device startup anticipated voltage supply for voltage output regulation

ABSTRACT

A system includes a converter and a regulator. The converter supplies power to a load circuit during an active mode to power first and second devices in the load circuit. The converter is OFF during an inactive mode. The regulator supplies power to the load circuit during the inactive mode to operate the first device in an active state and regulates a power supply voltage, supplied during the inactive mode, to a predetermined voltage. The power supplied during the inactive mode is less than an amount of power to operate the first and second devices in an active state. During the inactive mode, the regulator increases the power supply voltage to a voltage greater than the predetermined voltage to prevent the power supply voltage from decreasing to a voltage less than the predetermined voltage due to an increased amount of load as a result of turning ON the second device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/356,172, filed Jan. 20, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,766, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/022,702, filed on Jan. 22, 2008. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to power management systems, and more particularly to power management systems for integrated circuits (ICs) and systems on chip (SOCs).

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Both linear voltage regulators and DC/DC converters have been used to supply regulated power to circuits of a device. Linear voltage regulators typically include a transistor that drops an input voltage to a regulated output voltage. DC/DC converters typically include one or more diodes, switches, capacitances and/or inductances that store and release power. DC/DC converters can provide regulated output voltage both above and below the input voltage.

Low-dropout (LDO) regulators are one type of linear voltage regulator. Dropout refers to a minimum difference between input and output voltage that sustains regulation. Although the efficiency of the LDO regulator is generally lower than the DC/DC converter, it may be offset by the relatively low cost of the LDO regulator.

When systems employ both LDO regulators and DC/DC converters to supply power to the circuits of the device, there can be situations when the LDO regulator will experience voltage droop. The droop in voltage may fall below a voltage or power level floor required for the circuit.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing ideal output voltage as a function of time based on output of a DC/DC converter and a LDO regulator that are used to drive a circuit. During an active or high power (HP) mode, the DC/DC converter supplies power to a target level as shown at 80. During a standby or low power (LP) mode, the DC/DC converter is generally or substantially turned off. During this period, the LDO regulator takes over and ensures that a minimum average voltage (or power) is maintained at a minimum level as identified by 82. The minimum average power may allow the modules of a driven circuit to maintain states and/or to reduce start-up delay that may otherwise occur if power was not supplied during the standby mode.

Consequently, the DC/DC converter supplies power during the active mode while the LDO regulator maintains the floor during the standby mode. During a period t₀ prior to transitioning to the active mode, the driven circuit may start using a little more power to initiate turning-on one or more of the other modules of the circuit so that they can be ready to operate in the active mode. During the period t₀, the LDO regulator is operating to ensure that minimum power or the floor 82 is supplied to the circuit. As a result of the increase in power supplied to the circuit, V_(out) may droop below the floor 82 to be maintained by the LDO regulator.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a typical output voltage V_(out) as a function of time based on the output of the DC/DC converter and the LDO regulator. The voltage is maintained at the floor 82 as shown at 84 by the LDO regulator. Then, the voltage droops below the floor 82 as shown at 86 during the period t₀. Then, the voltage increases at 88 due to the output of the DC/DC converter increasing and supplying an active voltage level. Then, the voltage falls after the active mode ends and the DC/DC converter is off. A rate or time constant of the falloff may be based on values of components of the impedance (and possibly other circuit impedances) and a rate of power consumption by the driven circuit.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a digital low dropout regulator is disclosed. The digital low dropout regulator includes a switch, a resistive element, a capacitive element coupled to the resistive element at a node, and a switch controller. The switch controller is configured to: couple to the node to receive an output voltage, compare the output voltage to a reference voltage, and control the switch based on a comparison of the output voltage and the reference voltage. The switch is configured to selectively provide a supply voltage to the node via the resistive element.

In another aspect, a power management system is disclosed. The power management system includes an active path including a DC/DC converter, a standby path including a comparator coupled to a node to receive an output voltage, and a pulse generator. The comparator is configured to control the pulse generator based on comparison of the output voltage to a reference voltage. The power management system further includes one or more switches, and a multiplexer coupled to the active path and the standby path and configured to selectively control the one or more switches using one of the active path and the standby path. The power management system also includes an impedance circuit including an inductive element coupled to the one or more switches, and a capacitive element coupled to inductive element and the node. The impedance circuit is coupled to the one or more switches.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a graph of ideal output voltage as a function of time based on the output of a DC/DC converter and a LDO regulator;

FIG. 1B is a graph of typical output voltage as a function of time based on the DC/DC converter and the LDO regulator;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a power management system including a digital LDO regulator and a DC/DC converter that supply power to a system on chip (SOC), an integrated circuit (IC) or other circuits;

FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram illustrating the power management system in further detail;

FIG. 3B is an electrical schematic of an exemplary digital LDO regulator;

FIG. 3C is an electrical schematic of another exemplary digital LDO regulator;

FIG. 3D is an electrical schematic of another exemplary digital LDO regulator;

FIG. 3E is an electrical schematic of a circuit configuration that includes the DC/DC converter, the digital LDO regulator and an impedance circuit;

FIG. 4A is a graph of ideal voltage as a function of time for the output of the DC/DC converter and the digital LDO regulator according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a graph of empirical voltage output as a function of time for both the DC/DC converter and the digital LDO regulator in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for operating the power management system;

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary method for operating the power management module;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method for operating the SOC, IC or other circuit;

FIG. 8A is a functional block diagram of a hard disk drive;

FIG. 8B is a functional block diagram of a DVD drive;

FIG. 8C is a functional block diagram of a high definition television;

FIG. 8D is a functional block diagram of a vehicle control system;

FIG. 8E is a functional block diagram of a cellular phone;

FIG. 8F is a functional block diagram of a set top box; and

FIG. 8G is a functional block diagram of a mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

The power management system according to the present disclosure temporarily powers the DC/DC converter one or more times during an standby mode of a device (such as an SOC, IC or other circuit) to increase supply voltage and to prevent voltage droop below a floor maintained by the digital LDO regulator. The DC/DC converter may generate a minimum pulse sufficient to prevent voltage droop. After temporarily being powered during the standby mode, the DC/DC converter is turned off until the active mode begins. An impedance circuit may provide temporary power storage until the active mode begins. More efficient operation of the power management system may tend to reduce power consumption. This may be particularly desirable for battery-powered devices.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a power management module 10 supplies power to a system on chip (SOC), an integrated circuit (IC) or other circuit generally identified at 12. The circuit 12 may include a mode control module 14 and other modules 16. The mode control module 14 generates mode control signals that control a power mode of the circuit 12, as will be described further below. The power management module 10 may receive a supply voltage V_(supply) from a power supply 18. The power supply 18 may be powered by line voltage, a battery and/or other power source.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, the power management module 10 is illustrated in further detail. The power management module 10 includes a DC/DC converter 30, a digital LDO regulator 32 and a power control module 34. The DC/DC converter 30 may include any suitable DC/DC converter. The power control module 34 receives a power supply voltage V_(supply) and outputs a converter voltage V_(converter) and a digital LDO voltage V_(LDO) to the DC/DC converter 30 and the digital LDO regulator 32, respectively. The power control module 34 also turns the DC/DC converter 30 on and off via a mode signal and turns the digital LDO regulator on and off via the sw_ctrl signal as will be described below.

Outputs of the DC/DC converter 30 and the digital LDO regulator 32 communicate with an impedance 36 that may include one or more inductances, resistances and/or capacitances. For example only, the impedance 36 may include an inductance L₁ and a capacitance C₁. For example only, an output of the DC/DC converter 30 may communicate with one end of the inductance L₁. Another end of the inductance L₁ may communicate with an output of the digital LDO regulator 32 and with one end of a capacitance C₁. Alternately, the digital LDO regulator 32 may communicate with the one end of the inductance L₁ instead of the other end as shown by dotted line 39. A voltage V_(out) is supplied to the circuit 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 3B and 3C, exemplary digital LDO regulators are shown. In FIG. 3B, a digital LDO regulator 32-1 includes a switch 41 that receives a switch control signal and that connects a resistance R with a voltage source providing V_(supply). The digital LDO regulator 32-1 outputs digital LDO regulator current I_(LDO) _(—) _(out). The resistance R and capacitor C₁ are used collectively to control any ripple effects on voltage V_(out). In FIG. 2C, another exemplary digital LDO regulator 32-2 includes a switch 43 that selectively connects a current source I_(LDO) with an output of the digital LDO regulator 32-2. The digital LDO regulator 32-2 outputs digital LDO regulator current I_(LDO) _(—) _(out).

FIG. 3D illustrates another exemplary digital LDO regulator 32-3 which includes a switch 47 that selectively connects voltage V_(supply) to voltage V_(out) via resistance R. V_(supply) may be any voltage that is greater than V_(out). The switch 47 is controlled by a switch controller 45 based on a comparison of the voltage V_(out) with a reference voltage V_(LDO). The switch controller 45 may include a low power comparator. When in inactive (standby) or low power mode, the switch controller 45 determines whether V_(out) is less than or equal to the reference voltage V_(LDO). If Vout is less than or equal to the reference voltage V_(LDO), then the switch controller 45 turns on the switch 47, thereby bringing up V_(out). Capacitance C₂ is sufficiently large such that the ripple voltage V_(ripple) at V_(out) should be less than 100 mV. The value of capacitance C₂ is determined based on the relative value of resistance R. Resistance R may be implemented in a number of ways, e.g., by using a resistor, a capacitor or any other current-limiting element(s) or configuration(s).

FIG. 3E illustrates a circuit configuration 33 that includes the DC/DC converter 30. The circuit configuration 33 includes a standby path and an active path. The standby path includes a comparator 49 that is low power and a pulse generator 50. The comparator 49 controls the pulse generator 50 based on a comparison of a reference voltage V_(ref) and the voltage V_(out). For example, during the standby mode, the comparator 49 may determine whether V_(out) is less than or equal to a reference voltage V_(ref). The pulse generator 50, in turn, generates pulses to control the switches 51 via the multiplexer 52. During the standby or low power mode, the pulse generator 51 utilizes minimum pulses which are narrow thereby consuming minimal energy. Furthermore, the gap between adjacent pulses is longer than usual. The standby path is used when the standby mode is engaged.

The active path includes the DC/DC converter 30. The active path is used when the active mode is engaged. The multiplexer 52 is used to selectively engage the standby path and the active path.

Output of the multiplexer 52 is used to control two or more switches 51. One or more of the switches 51 may be switched on providing the appropriate voltage level to V_(out). The circuit configuration 33 also includes a number of components constituting an impedance circuit. The impedance circuit includes a diode emulator D, an inductor L, a capacitor C₃ and a current source.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, voltage is shown as a function of time for the output of the DC/DC converter 30 and the digital LDO regulator 32 according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3D and 3E. The mode control module 14 of the circuit 12 may generate a pre-active mode signal during the standby or inactive mode before the predetermined period t₀. This time is before the circuit 12 transitions to a high power (HP) mode. The pre-active mode signal may be generated before the circuit 12 starts powering circuits to transition one or more of the other control modules 16 to the active mode.

The mode control module 14 may also generate an active mode signal to transition the circuit 12 to the active mode. The active mode signal may also be de-asserted to end the active mode. Alternately, the active mode may end a predetermined period after it is initiated.

The control module 34 turns on the digital LDO regulator 32 at 100-1 for a predetermined period based on the pre-active mode signal to increase V_(out) and then turns off the digital LDO regulator 32 before the active mode. As can be appreciated, the predetermined period may be calibrated to provide a minimum pulse width and/or height that is sufficient to provide enough power to prevent droop. As a result, the minimum amount of power may be dissipated by the digital LDO regulator 32. Alternatively, the digital LDO regulator 32 may bring the voltage to a level that is sufficient to operate the circuit 12 in the active mode on a temporary basis. This allows time for the DC/DC converter 30 to wake up and engage in the active mode. The digital LDO regulator 32 may also be kept operational during the standby mode or a portion thereof.

The voltage increases can be performed one or more times at spaced intervals to increase or bump the voltage above the floor. For example only, V_(out) may increase by approximately 100 mV. The predetermined period may be less than the period t₀. Then, the control module 34 later turns on the DC/DC converter at 80-1 for the active mode based on the active mode signal. The process may be repeated as shown at 100-3 and 80-2.

Alternatively, the digital LDO regulator 32 may increase the voltage above the floor by monitoring V_(out) against a threshold. For example, referring to FIG. 3D, the digital LDO regulator 32-1 may compare V_(out) to the reference voltage V_(LDO) and control the switch 47 to increase V_(out) accordingly. The voltage increase may be shown schematically as 100-2 in FIGS. 4A and 108-2 in FIG. 4B. Similarly, the standby path in FIG. 3E may also increase the voltage above the floor by monitoring V_(out) against V_(ref) and using the pulse generator 50 to control the switches 51 accordingly.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, V_(out) is shown as a function of time for the output of the DC/DC converter 30 and the digital LDO regulator 32 according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. The voltage V_(out) is maintained at the floor at 104-1 by the digital LDO regulator 32. The voltage V_(out) increases at 106-1 due to the digital LDO regulator 32 monitoring the floor 82 to prevent droop below the floor 82. The voltage V_(out) then decreases at 108-1 due to the power drained by the circuit 12. The power may be drained due to circuits in one or more of the other modules 16 being turned on in anticipation of the active mode. Alternatively, the digital LDO regulator 32 may bring the voltage to a level that is sufficient to operate the circuit 12 in the active mode on a temporary basis. This allows time for the DC/DC converter 30 to wake up and engage in the active mode. The voltage V_(out) then increases at 110-1 due to the output of the DC/DC converter 30 being in the active mode. The voltage V_(out) then falls at 112-1 after the active mode ends. The falloff may be at a rate determined by components of the impedance 36 (and other impedances). The foregoing process may also be repeated at 104-2, 106-2, 108-2, 106-3, 108-3, 110-2 and 112-2.

By further adjusting the values of the impedances and the duration and/or number of times that the digital LDO regulator 32 is turned on and off during the standby mode, V_(out) can remain above the floor to significantly reduce power dissipation that would otherwise occur in the digital LDO regulator 32 during the standby mode. Additionally, the digital LDO regulator 32 may be turned on and off at spaced intervals during the standby mode to provide several voltage bumps and droops to maintain the voltage above the floor.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary method 150 for operating the control module 34 is shown. Control begins in step 154 and proceeds to step 158. In step 158, the power management module 10 turns on the DC/DC converter 30. In step 162, the power management module 10 determines whether the standby mode signal is received. If step 162 is false, control returns to step 162. If step 162 is true, control turns off the DC/DC converter 30 in step 166. In step 170, the power management module 10 determines whether the pre-active mode signal has been received. If false, control returns to step 170. If true, control continues with step 174 and turns on the digital LDO regulator 32 for a first predetermined period and then off before the active mode. In step 178, control determines whether the active mode signal is received. If step 178 is true, control returns to step 158. Otherwise if step 178 is false, control returns to step 178.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another exemplary method 170 for operating the power management module is shown. The power management module 10 may include a timer that determines the start of the active mode based on the pre-active mode signal. In other words, the timer times a period after the pre-active mode signal is received and then transitions to the active mode. Steps 154-170 of FIG. 6 are shown and not described again. In step 180, the digital LDO regulator 32 is turned on. In step 184, a first timer (Timer1) and a second timer (Timer2) are started. Timer 185 in FIG. 3A may be used to implement Timer1 and Timer2. In step 188, the power management module 10 determines whether Timer1 is up. If Timer1 is up, then the digital LDO regulator 32 is turned off in step 192. In step 196, the power management module 10 determines whether Timer2 is up. If Timer2 is up, then the power management module 10 transitions to the HP or active mode and control returns to step 158.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary method 250 for operating the circuit 12 is shown. Control begins in step 254 and proceeds to step 258. In step 258, the circuit 12 operates in active mode. In step 262, the circuit 12 determines whether it is time to transition to standby mode. If step 262 is false, control returns to step 262. If step 262 is true, the circuit 12 transitions one or more modules 16 to the standby mode in step 266. In step 270, the circuit 12 determines whether it is time to begin turning on circuits in one or more of the other control modules 16 prior to entering the active mode. If false, control returns to step 270. If true, the circuit 12 continues with step 274 and sends the pre-active mode signal to the power management module 10. When the timer is used in the power management module 10, the active mode signal need not be transmitted to the power management module 10 and control returns to step 258.

When the timer is not used in the power management module 10, the active mode signal may be transmitted to the power management module 10. In step 278, the circuit 12 determines whether it is time to send the active mode signal. If step 278 is true, control sends the active mode signal to the power management module 10 and then control returns to step 258. Otherwise if step 278 is false, control returns to step 278.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8G, various exemplary implementations incorporating the teachings of the present disclosure are shown.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a hard disk drive (HDD) 900. The HDD 900 includes a hard disk assembly (HDA) 901 and an HDD printed circuit board (PCB) 902. The HDA 901 may include a magnetic medium 903, such as one or more platters that store data, and a read/write device 904. The read/write device 904 may be arranged on an actuator arm 905 and may read and write data on the magnetic medium 903. Additionally, the HDA 901 includes a spindle motor 906 that rotates the magnetic medium 903 and a voice-coil motor (VCM) 907 that actuates the actuator arm 905. A preamplifier device 908 amplifies signals generated by the read/write device 904 during read operations and provides signals to the read/write device 904 during write operations.

The HDD PCB 902 includes a read/write channel module (hereinafter, “read channel”) 909, a hard disk controller (HDC) module 910, a buffer 911, nonvolatile memory 912, a processor 913, and a spindle/VCM driver module 914. The read channel 909 processes data received from and transmitted to the preamplifier device 908. The HDC module 910 controls components of the HDA 901 and communicates with an external device (not shown) via an I/O interface 915. The external device may include a computer, a multimedia device, a mobile computing device, etc. The I/O interface 915 may include wireline and/or wireless communication links.

The HDC module 910 may receive data from the HDA 901, the read channel 909, the buffer 911, nonvolatile memory 912, the processor 913, the spindle/VCM driver module 914, and/or the I/O interface 915. The processor 913 may process the data, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting. The processed data may be output to the HDA 901, the read channel 909, the buffer 911, nonvolatile memory 912, the processor 913, the spindle/VCM driver module 914, and/or the I/O interface 915.

The HDC module 910 may use the buffer 911 and/or nonvolatile memory 912 to store data related to the control and operation of the HDD 900. The buffer 911 may include DRAM, SDRAM, etc. Nonvolatile memory 912 may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The spindle/VCM driver module 914 controls the spindle motor 906 and the VCM 907. The HDD PCB 902 includes a power supply 916 that provides power to the components of the HDD 900.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a DVD drive 918 or of a CD drive (not shown). The DVD drive 918 includes a DVD PCB 919 and a DVD assembly (DVDA) 920. The DVD PCB 919 includes a DVD control module 921, a buffer 922, nonvolatile memory 923, a processor 924, a spindle/FM (feed motor) driver module 925, an analog front-end module 926, a write strategy module 927, and a DSP module 928.

The DVD control module 921 controls components of the DVDA 920 and communicates with an external device (not shown) via an I/O interface 929. The external device may include a computer, a multimedia device, a mobile computing device, etc. The I/O interface 929 may include wireline and/or wireless communication links.

The DVD control module 921 may receive data from the buffer 922, nonvolatile memory 923, the processor 924, the spindle/FM driver module 925, the analog front-end module 926, the write strategy module 927, the DSP module 928, and/or the I/O interface 929. The processor 924 may process the data, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting. The DSP module 928 performs signal processing, such as video and/or audio coding/decoding. The processed data may be output to the buffer 922, nonvolatile memory 923, the processor 924, the spindle/FM driver module 925, the analog front-end module 926, the write strategy module 927, the DSP module 928, and/or the I/O interface 929.

The DVD control module 921 may use the buffer 922 and/or nonvolatile memory 923 to store data related to the control and operation of the DVD drive 918. The buffer 922 may include DRAM, SDRAM, etc. Nonvolatile memory 923 may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The DVD PCB 919 includes a power supply 930 that provides power to the components of the DVD drive 918.

The DVDA 920 may include a preamplifier device 931, a laser driver 932, and an optical device 933, which may be an optical read/write (ORW) device or an optical read-only (OR) device. A spindle motor 934 rotates an optical storage medium 935, and a feed motor 936 actuates the optical device 933 relative to the optical storage medium 935.

When reading data from the optical storage medium 935, the laser driver provides a read power to the optical device 933. The optical device 933 detects data from the optical storage medium 935, and transmits the data to the preamplifier device 931. The analog front-end module 926 receives data from the preamplifier device 931 and performs such functions as filtering and A/D conversion. To write to the optical storage medium 935, the write strategy module 927 transmits power level and timing data to the laser driver 932. The laser driver 932 controls the optical device 933 to write data to the optical storage medium 935.

Referring now to FIG. 8C, the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a high definition television (HDTV) 937. The HDTV 937 includes an HDTV control module 938, a display 939, a power supply 940, memory 941, a storage device 942, a network interface 943, and an external interface 945. If the network interface 943 includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included.

The HDTV 937 can receive input signals from the network interface 943 and/or the external interface 945, which can send and receive data via cable, broadband Internet, and/or satellite. The HDTV control module 938 may process the input signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may be communicated to one or more of the display 939, memory 941, the storage device 942, the network interface 943, and the external interface 945.

Memory 941 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device 942 may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDTV control module 938 communicates externally via the network interface 943 and/or the external interface 945. The power supply 940 provides power to the components of the HDTV 937.

Referring now to FIG. 8D, the teachings of the disclosure may be implemented in a power supply of a vehicle 946. The vehicle 946 may include a vehicle control system 947, a power supply 948, memory 949, a storage device 950, and a network interface 952. If the network interface 952 includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. The vehicle control system 947 may be a powertrain control system, a body control system, an entertainment control system, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, etc.

The vehicle control system 947 may communicate with one or more sensors 954 and generate one or more output signals 956. The sensors 954 may include temperature sensors, acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors, etc. The output signals 956 may control engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, suspension parameters, etc.

The power supply 948 provides power to the components of the vehicle 946. The vehicle control system 947 may store data in memory 949 and/or the storage device 950. Memory 949 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device 950 may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The vehicle control system 947 may communicate externally using the network interface 952.

Referring now to FIG. 8E, the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a cellular phone 958. The cellular phone 958 includes a phone control module 960, a power supply 962, memory 964, a storage device 966, and a cellular network interface 967. The cellular phone 958 may include a network interface 968, a microphone 970, an audio output 972 such as a speaker and/or output jack, a display 974, and a user input device 976 such as a keypad and/or pointing device. If the network interface 968 includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included.

The phone control module 960 may receive input signals from the cellular network interface 967, the network interface 968, the microphone 970, and/or the user input device 976. The phone control module 960 may process signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may be communicated to one or more of memory 964, the storage device 966, the cellular network interface 967, the network interface 968, and the audio output 972.

Memory 964 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device 966 may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The power supply 962 provides power to the components of the cellular phone 958.

Referring now to FIG. 8F, the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a set top box 978. The set top box 978 includes a set top control module 980, a display 981, a power supply 982, memory 983, a storage device 984, and a network interface 985. If the network interface 985 includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included.

The set top control module 980 may receive input signals from the network interface 985 and an external interface 987, which can send and receive data via cable, broadband Internet, and/or satellite. The set top control module 980 may process signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may include audio and/or video signals in standard and/or high definition formats. The output signals may be communicated to the network interface 985 and/or to the display 981. The display 981 may include a television, a projector, and/or a monitor.

The power supply 982 provides power to the components of the set top box 978. Memory 983 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device 984 may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD).

Referring now to FIG. 8G, the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a mobile device 989. The mobile device 989 may include a mobile device control module 990, a power supply 991, memory 992, a storage device 993, a network interface 994, and an external interface 999. If the network interface 994 includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included.

The mobile device control module 990 may receive input signals from the network interface 994 and/or the external interface 999. The external interface 999 may include USB, infrared, and/or Ethernet. The input signals may include compressed audio and/or video, and may be compliant with the MP3 format. Additionally, the mobile device control module 990 may receive input from a user input 996 such as a keypad, touchpad, or individual buttons. The mobile device control module 990 may process input signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals.

The mobile device control module 990 may output audio signals to an audio output 997 and video signals to a display 998. The audio output 997 may include a speaker and/or an output jack. The display 998 may present a graphical user interface, which may include menus, icons, etc. The power supply 991 provides power to the components of the mobile device 989. Memory 992 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory.

Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device 993 may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The mobile device may include a personal digital assistant, a media player, a laptop computer, a gaming console, or other mobile computing device.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a converter configured to supply power to a load circuit during an active mode to power a plurality of devices in the load circuit, wherein the plurality of devices comprise a first device and a second device, and wherein the converter is OFF during an inactive mode; and a regulator configured to (i) supply power to the load circuit during the inactive mode to operate the first device in an active state, and (ii) regulate a power supply voltage of the power, supplied to the load circuit during the inactive mode, to a predetermined voltage, wherein the power supplied to the load circuit during the inactive mode is less than an amount of power to operate (i) the first device in the active state, and (ii) the second device in an active state, wherein the regulator is configured to, during the inactive mode, increase the power supply voltage to a voltage greater than the predetermined voltage to prevent the power supply voltage from decreasing to a voltage less than the predetermined voltage due to an increased amount of load as a result of turning ON the second device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the converter transitions from the inactive mode to the active mode to supply power to turn ON the second device.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein: the regulator increases the power supply voltage, of the power supplied from the regulator to the load circuit, to a target voltage to supply power to turn ON the second device; and the target voltage is greater than the predetermined voltage.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: the converter converts a first direct current voltage to a second direct current voltage; and the power supply voltage is equal to second direct current voltage.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the regulator is OFF during the active mode.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the regulator is configured to remain ON for a predetermined period during a beginning of the active mode to allow the converter to (i) turn ON, and (ii) supply a target voltage to the load circuit; the target voltage is greater than the predetermined voltage; and the regulator is configured to turn OFF at an end of the predetermined period.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control module configured to (i) receive a first control signal from the load circuit, (ii) generate a mode signal based on the first control signal, and (iii) generate a second control signal based on the first control signal, wherein: the first control signal indicates whether to operate in the active mode or the inactive mode; the converter transitions between an active state and an inactive state in response to the mode signal; and the regulator transitions between an active state and an inactive state in response to the second control signal.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein, during the inactive mode, the control module is configured to (i) turn ON the regulator for a predetermined period, and (ii) then turn OFF the regulator at an end of the predetermined period.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the converter is configured to, during the predetermined period, transition from the inactive state of the converter to the active state of the converter to power the second device; and the control module is configured to during the inactive mode, account for the increased amount of load as a result of initiating the active mode, based on the increased amount of load as a result of initiating the active mode, set the predetermined period to prevent the power supply voltage from decreasing to a voltage less than the predetermined voltage during the inactive mode, increase the power supply voltage to the voltage greater than the predetermined voltage at a beginning of the predetermined period, and during the predetermined period and prior to the active mode, permit the power supply voltage to decrease from the voltage greater than the predetermined voltage.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a comparator configured to (i) compare the power supply voltage and a reference voltage, and (ii) generate a control signal based on the comparison between the power supply voltage and the reference voltage, wherein the regulator increases the power supply voltage to the voltage greater than the predetermined voltage based on the control signal.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the reference voltage is equal to the predetermined voltage.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein: during the inactive mode, the regulator is configured to (i) turn ON for a predetermined period, and (ii) then turn OFF at an end of the predetermined period; the converter is configured to transition from operating in an inactive state to an active state to power the second device during the predetermined period; and the regulator is configured to, during the predetermined period, increase the power supply voltage to the voltage greater than the predetermined voltage to prevent the power supply voltage from decreasing to the voltage less than the predetermined voltage.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the converter is configured to be active at an end of the predetermined period.
 14. A method comprising: supplying power from a converter to a load circuit during an active mode to power a plurality of devices in the load circuit, wherein the plurality of devices comprise a first device and a second device, and wherein the converter is OFF during an inactive mode; supplying power from a regulator to the load circuit during the inactive mode to operate the first device in an active state; regulating a power supply voltage of the power, supplied to the load circuit during the inactive mode, to a predetermined voltage, wherein the power supplied to the load circuit during the inactive mode is less than an amount of power to operate (i) the first device in the active state, and (ii) the second device in an active state; and during the inactive mode, increasing the power supply voltage to a voltage greater than the predetermined voltage to prevent the power supply voltage from decreasing to a voltage less than the predetermined voltage due to an increased amount of load as a result of turning ON the second device.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transitioning the converter from an inactive state to an active state to supply power to turn ON the second device.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising increasing the power supply voltage, of the power supplied from the regulator to the load circuit, a target voltage to supply power to turn ON the second device, wherein the target voltage is greater than the predetermined voltage.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving a first control signal from the load circuit; generating a mode signal based on the first control signal; generating a second control signal based on the first control signal, wherein the first control signal indicates whether to operate in the active mode or the inactive mode; transitioning the converter between an active state and an inactive state in response to the mode signal; and transitioning the regulator between an active state and an inactive state in response to the second control signal.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, during the inactive mode: turning ON the regulator for a predetermined period; and then turning OFF the regulator at an end of the predetermined period.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising during the predetermined period, transitioning the converter from the inactive state of the converter to the active state of the converter to power the second device; during the inactive mode, accounting for the increased amount of load as a result of initiating the active mode; based on the increased amount of load as a result of initiating the active mode, setting the predetermined period to prevent the power supply voltage from decreasing to a voltage less than the predetermined voltage during the inactive mode; increasing the power supply voltage to the voltage greater than the predetermined voltage at a beginning of the predetermined period; and during the predetermined period and prior to the active mode, permitting the power supply voltage to decrease from the voltage greater than the predetermined voltage.
 20. The method of claim 14, further comprising comparing the power supply voltage and a reference voltage; generating a control signal based on the comparison between the power supply voltage and the reference voltage; and increasing the power supply voltage of the power, supplied by the regulator to the load circuit, to the voltage greater than the predetermined voltage based on the control signal. 